If you�ve ever owned a home with a fireplace 99% or us have forgotten the damper being closed at least once if only long enough to realize the smoke isn�t going up but coming in. You will remember this incident every time you start a fire in it for eternity.
I wish I was able to follow you around and video your life. I bet a person could profit well doing so. Maybe Oskar could be enticed to have a video camera strapped to his head with hopes of becoming a world renowned celebrity. It�s a thought you might consider.

you need a fireplace furnace insert...for safety.

Mud we run these calls often, we even carry a �fireplace kit� on our firetrucks .

When we bought our home a couple years back this was recommended to me by the inspector. I put one on and now it never closes........guess that beats the situation Mudshark was dealing with

Also agree with the comment about getting your chimney and dryer vents cleaned. My guy recommends every two years on the vents and once for every cord of wood on chimney.